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| | | | Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 367 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 367 | As the title says, I need to wire my build from scratch. It's a '50 3100. I have no wiring harness or really any good idea of where to begin but wanted to ask for some direction before I needed to know in the next couple of weeks.
The engine is a '60 235, 12v starter. I'd like it all to be 12v and I'm hoping to use an alternator if I can source a bracket for it. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | voltage doesn't matter, a 6V harness has slightly heavier gauge wires, which adds a safety factor - the best thing to do is buy an inexpensive wiring harness for a 50, you can order it with the alternator option .... trying to wire it with off the shelf wire and terminals will not only be a lesson in wasting time, it would be more expensive than a repro harness, not as well done, and leave you with a bunch of left over wire - unless you plan on making all the wires the same color ... and good luck with that  Bill | | | | | Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 4,263 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 4,263 | I wired my 50 from scratch
Never wired anything before.
I started with the wiring diagram, then drew out each circuit on a piece of paper so I could understand.
This was suppose to be temporary while I saved for a road island wire harness.
Classic parts has a pretty good harness | | | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,596 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,596 | If you're not worried about originality there are several generic harnesses you can use like Painless, American Autowire, etc. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 367 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 367 | If you're not worried about originality there are several generic harnesses you can use like Painless, American Autowire, etc. I'm not, the only real concern is cost.  | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 |
For good price and good quality, check out Classic Parts, as suggested by DAD50.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | jr, with the price of copper nowadays you'll spend more doing it yourself than the repro harness would cost - believe me, I had to wire my bus from scratch and it is not cheap if you're going to do a good job of it
Bill | | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | I used one from Hot Rod Wires on my '56. If you are planning to add air conditioning, radio, power ports, etc. that would be the way to go. You'll still be custom routing it but you'll have a harness to start with instead of having to buy all those wires. If it's just a basic truck, I'd go with the Classic Parts one Tim mentioned. It looks like a stock harness. | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 Sir Searchalot | | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 | There are two Companies: Mailing address says: Classic Parts of America (in MO.) and their Logo says "Classic Parts" and "Truck Parts" (was ChevyDuty.) Then there is American Classic Truck Parts in TX. I never know which one people mean when they say "Classic Parts". Don't know if they are literal or shortening the name. I'm slow at times. I like the one in MO.-Town and I believe that is the one they mean. Nevertheless, I recommend a kit with the more modern fuse panel included. American Autowire is the high end, but very nice and complete.
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 4,263 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 4,263 | Classic parts . Com http://www.classicparts.com/Old chevy duty | | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 815 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 815 | I agree with that. It is well worth the price and easy to understand. Steve | | | | | Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 3,690 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 3,690 | The classic parts $150 harness.....
* would it work with a 12v generator system? And if so, what other gizmos might one have to add?
* my truck has a couple extra goodies. Spotlight and can market lights. Can this harness be added to or should I seek a different one?
1951 3100
| | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | I think the harness is offered in either generator or alternator. For accessories, I'd add a 782-5316 fuse block. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 |
Yes, alternator or generator - different part numbers.
The set used to come with enough lengths of wire to take care of turn signals (and a second rear lamp) - call them and check this out.
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 98 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 98 | As said, the least expensive is a generic harness. The difficult part using one of them is that they'll have turn signals integrated into the system. That will be no problem if you are using a newer steering colum, if you are using the original column with an 'add-on' turn signal switch then you'll have problems.
A shop is where you wash your hands before you pee.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 | Which generic harness is less expensive than $150? The $150 Classic Parts plastic-coated harness is a year-specific harness. It uses the your original fuses/breakers. Jim Carter sells a similar harness. generator harness and alternator harness They used to provide enough additional different colored wiring for add-on signals. If you want signal-lamps, you might want to call to see if this is still the case. If you want more circuits or want to use non-original circuit-breakers and/or fuses, a generic system/harness is what you might want to use (and, you will have to measure/cut/terminate wires). | | |
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